“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
It seems that most people like to be accepted by others. We like to be liked. Years ago, I worked for a company that manufactured industrial printing presses. These were massive machines. I worked as the director of technical services for the company. While I was doing follow-up work on one of our installations, I was asked to pick up an equipment supplier at the airport and take him to see the plant management.
While travelling in the car from the airport, I mentioned my church affiliation and my conversion to faith in Christ. He went on to tell me that he was a Southern Baptist and about his church participation. All the words he spoke seemed to indicate that he was a solid believer.
When we got to the plant, the management decided to take the supplier and I to lunch for a meeting. Knowing the plant management, I know that the conversation could get a bit raunchy, that is sexual. So, I prepared myself for this.
At the restaurant, as I anticipated, the plant management began telling some crude stories and jokes. However, the thing that shocked me the most was that the supplier joined right in, telling his own crude stories. It was like a Jekyll and Hyde experience. The supplier changed 180 degrees when he was with the plant management team. Why did he do this? I guessed that it was to somehow fit in so that they would accept him and purchase his wares. Whether he was a genuine believer or not, the issue was one of wanting to fit in and compromising to be accepted by various people.
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he made this statement.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
It contains to rhetorical questions and a statement. His point is that he was not trying to please men. For if he were to do so, he would not be a servant of Christ. To please men, he would have to compromise the truth. His teaching would be invalid and brought into question. Yes, he would run the risk of irritating some who held to a false doctrine, but that is the stand that a true servant of Christ must take.
Today, many preachers and teachers fall into the trap of tickling the itching ears of people. It is a sincere temptation. For some it is the desire to be liked. For others it is the desire to build a large following.
Moreover, the problem is not just in preaching and teaching things that are false. In many cases it is preaching only part of the truth. I have heard several preachers state that they do not preach on bad things. One specifically stated that he would not preach on sin and judgement, that his mission was to encourage people and make them feel good. Yet without preaching the full counsel of the word of God people may never understand their need for God’s mercy and then experience the way of salvation.
Let us not compromise. Let us not hide our light under a bushel. Let us not hide our faith in a closet. The lost need to hear the truth. Believers need to hear the truth so that they will not compromise and conform to the pattern of the world system.
Renewing the Heart 